A missed free throw prevented Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell from making NBA playoff history on Monday.
Donovan Mitchell scored 39 of his 43 points in the second half of the Cleveland Cavaliers' 112-103 victory against the Detroit Pistons in Game 4 on Monday.
If Mitchell didn't miss a free throw with 27.6 seconds remaining in regulation, the All-Star would have scored the most points in a half in NBA playoff history.
"Everybody let me know that I missed the free throw to break the record, though," Mitchell said after the game with a laugh. "I will say that. We're 2-2 headed to Detroit. That was what we came home to do and that's all that matters."
Mitchell got off to a rough start in Game 4. He had only four points at halftime on 1-of-8 shooting from the field and 1-of-5 shooting from 3.
However, Mitchell regrouped at halftime and made it a point to attack the rim more in the second half.
"Not really trying to force it," Mitchell said. "I understand that I'm going to get looks, and it's going to fall at some point. Even if they didn't, just being aggressive, more aggressive. But I'm not tripping. We were down four at half. For me, it was just like, OK, now I have an opportunity to try to get downhill and then start going in."
Mitchell shot 12-of-18 from the floor, 3-of-7 from 3 and 12-of-13 from the foul line in the second half. It was an incredible performance from one of the best players in the NBA.
The Cavaliers are now two wins away from reaching the conference finals for the first time since 2018. As everyone knows, Mitchell has never advanced past the second round of the playoffs in his career.
To beat the Pistons, the Cavaliers will have to win on the road, something they haven't done yet in this year's playoffs. Cleveland is 6-0 at home this postseason and 0-5 on the road.
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